When I look at other PF blogs, their budgets look more sophisticated than mine. I mean they are long and every penny has a place to go. I, on the other hand, plan my budget in a way that every $ has a place to go not “penny”. This works for me. Less pressure more freedom. However when I see other budgets, I sometimes still feel intimated. Anyways, here is my overview for last 2 weeks and budget for next two weeks.
Budgeted/Actual
Saving: 250/250
Retirement: 250/250
Rent: 655/655
Misc: 415/415
total: $1,570
Budget for 9-1/915
$1,574
Saving $250
Retirement $250
Spending $500 (includes grocery, gas etc)
Student Loan $574
How did I do this period? There were couple of unexpected expenses but after all I managed to stay in budget. Besides going dmv today and paying for my driver license there shouldn’t be any extra expenses.
Budgeted/Actualsaving: 250/250
Retirement: 250/250
Ann taylor card: 180/192 paid off
Chase card: 40/188 paid off
student loan: 500/500
Misc 331/331
Good news, there is no more Ann Taylor or chase card! Was it tough this period? Not so much because knowing that I’m saving for house downpayment, retirement and paying down my student loan makes me feel good.
Here is my budget for 8/16-8/31
Saving: 250
Retirement: 250
Rent: 655
Misc: 415
total: $1,570
As you can see not much going on rest of the month. Rent takes big chunk of my money. Ohh well, I should be grateful at least I can afford it.
Quick glimpse of my budget for August. Today is one week after I drafted budget so I just want to make sure I am still on right track.
my budget for August 8/1-8/15 was;
Starting balance: $1,551
Budgeted/Actual
Saving: $250/250
Retirement: $250/250
Ann taylor card: $180/192 paid off
Chase card: $40/188 paid off
student loan:$500/500
Misc: $331 still have $250 on my bank account.
So far I am doing ok. I hope coming weekend and next week will be as smooth as this week.
It is obvious now that I can not stick to my budget. Perhaps I have unreasonable goals. I want so save, spend and pay down my debt. Apparently I can not do spend part as much as I want :) I need to prioritize my needs and wants and just do it...I have also professional designation exam I need to pass.I keep failing...Nowdays I am such a social bug that I am even suprised but as we all know it costs money to be social.
Anyhow, here is my budget for August 8/1-8/15
Starting balance: $1,551
Saving: $250
Retirement: $250
Ann taylor card: $180
Chase card: $40
student loan:$500
Misc: $331
Today is Tuesday and since Saturday I have not eaten out at all, including lunch. For me this is a huge success. However, I was wrong when I assumed I can feed my man with only salad for whole week. Yesterday I had to go Ralphs and buy pasta, more bread and stuffed pepper for him. I've learned couple grocery lessons that I'd like to share with you.
I've done meal planning before I went to grocery shopping which worked out perfect
I need to include more nonperishable items such as; pasta, beans etc
Trader Joe's is expensive. I will go to ethnic store for fruits and vegetables
Once a week I'll go to Trader Joe's, Ralphs and ethnic store. They are all close by sort of. For me the best day to shop is Monday after work.
Last 4 days I've been eating very healthy as a result of good meal planning. Spinach lasagna, smoked salmon sandwich, oatmeal (breakfast),mango&avocado salad, chicken salad with dried fruits and mixed green, lean cuisine ( for lunch), asparagus with rice and chicken. Yum!yum yum!
After last month's spending disaster on food, I went to grocery shopping for this time. I spent $96. I got twio kinds of bread, variety of vegatables, fruits, salad topings such as dried fruit and nuts, chicken and smoked salmon fat free feta cheese and cream cheese. The fridge is full, seriously. There is no need to go out for lunch or dinner for two weeks. Today for lunch I made bbq cheese pizza for two (4.99) and for dinner smoked salmon, fat free cream cheese sandwich for dinner.
My grocery list:Pecan halves
Dried cranberries
Dried sweet apple rings
Dried hibiscus flower (never tried before)
Sesame seed bread
French baquette
Frozen bbq chicken cheese pizza
Cheese cracker
Granola 3 berries
Olive spread
Dried tomato
cherries
Spinach lasagna (2)
Spinach thin pizza (comes 6 in the package)
Smoked salmon
Strawberries
Cherry tomato
Sweet potato
Asparagus
Mushroom
Mango
Avocado
Chicken strips
Fat free cream and feta cheese
3 different kinds of mixed greens in a package
Wow I got so much, dont you think? This should be enough for 2 people for two weeks. I mean at least one week.
I am really concerned about four categories in my budget: clothing, dining out, home decoration and overdraft charges.
Clothing: $341 wtf? My birthday was this month. I guess I felt free to spend on whatever I want on. During June I plan to purchase nothing. I don’t need anything anyways.
Dining out:$332. This is for two people most of the time it is either a quick dinner or lunch. My grocery bill was $202. As you can see I ended up spending more on going out then grocery. Well I don’t cook very much. Total spending on food is $502 for two.
Home decoration: $270 Now days I am in this renovation mood and I know it s not good for my budget. I
Overdraft charges: $70 wow this one is a bad one. I normally don’t have any problem in this area. This month my budget got messed up and I ended up over drafting my checking. I just need to focus one day at a time and do a better job during June.
May 29- June 12
Starting $1,660
Budgeted:
Rent: 655
Dining out and grocery: 100
Gas: 75
Student loan: 330
Wells: 350
Hair: $50
Unexpected loan repayment:100
